Morton Colliery - a good bet for the cup?
by Alan Rowley, 10th April 2002

Abbey Glass Division One side Morton Colliery are confident of a top four placing this season. Regular Sting correspondent Nigel Mallender gave us his thoughts as the new season rapidly approaches.

Nigel told us: "I'm quite optimistic about Morton's chances this year. I don't think we'll be challenging for the title - I think that'll be between Spondon, Stainsby and Shipley but I think we're more than capable of a top four finish.

Geoff Deane who we've re-signed from Stainsby should strengthen the top order, he didn't play last season because of work commitments but we think he'll get 500+ runs for us. Hopefully Ady Elks will have a better season than last and get over 800 runs once more and John Aspinall should get close to 600 runs again.

The batting looks quite strong because we should also get plenty of runs from Neil Elks , Vaughan Fletcher and Allan Clark - not forgetting our Aussie Jimmy Miller who I believe will be one of, if not the star of the County League this season. He's coming over in great form - he plays for Grade A side Frankston and in his last match for them he scored 130 not out and put on 298 with Victoria's Matthew Mott. I don't know if he'll be as destructive with the bat as Scotty Phillips was but I know he's aiming to match Scotty's 1200 runs from last season."

On Miller's bowling ability, Nigel told us "He's supposed to be quite sharp and I'm sure if he's anything like Simon Dignan or Scotty his fielding will be top notch too. Our bowling looks ok with John Aspinall , Phil Kirkby , Malc Jelley (re-signed from the Bassetlaw League) and yours truly backing up Jimmy.

All in all I think we've got a decent first eleven, but our problem will be when we have 3 or 4 players unavailable. A good bet for the cup maybe!!!?"